Southwest Airlines, a well-known player in the airline industry, has recently come under scrutiny from investment firm Elliott Management. Elliot Management has taken a $1.9 billion stake in Southwest Airlines, indicating a significant interest in the company’s future. The investment firm is calling for the removal of CEO Bob Jordan and chairman Gary Kelly, who
Airlines
Delta Airlines has made the strategic decision to introduce premium economy seats on flights between New York JFK and Los Angeles, starting in September. This move marks a significant shift in the airline’s offerings, as Delta Premium Select will be exclusively available on this domestic route. The premium economy cabin will be featured on four
As the United Nations set a goal to reduce aviation emissions by 5% globally by 2030, industry leaders expressed doubts at the recent IATA Annual General Meeting in Dubai. IATA director general Willie Walsh highlighted the challenges, pointing out that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production is limited in various parts of the world, such as
Cathay Pacific, a major airline based in Hong Kong, has faced challenges in expanding its U.S. service due to Boeing’s delivery delays. The airline has nearly doubled its service to the U.S. since Hong Kong lifted Covid-19 travel restrictions in April 2023. However, the lack of timely delivery of Boeing 777-9 aircraft has hindered Cathay’s
The recent reversal of American Airlines’ distribution strategy, which was vehemently opposed by the travel agency community, has been hailed as a hard-fought victory for ASTA after a yearlong battle. The announcement of American Airlines abandoning its plans to withhold loyalty points for bookings from non-preferred travel agencies and to stop removing content from GDSs
The DOT’s new refund rule that will come into effect on Oct. 26 has raised several questions regarding how it applies to corporate travel, meetings, and incentives. One of the common concerns is whether travel agencies would be responsible for refunds for canceled and delayed flights if their corporate or institutional clients pay by check
United Airlines has recently introduced a new advertising platform called Kinective Media that leverages the vast amount of customer data the airline possesses to deliver targeted advertisements to its customers. This innovative platform allows companies to promote their products and services through various channels, including the airline’s app, website, in-flight entertainment screens, United lounges, and
At the IATA’s Annual General Meeting held in Istanbul last year, airline executives expressed their biggest concern about supply chain constraints that were slowing down aircraft deliveries. Fast forward to this year’s meeting, and it seems like little has changed. The frustrations surrounding the supply chain issues have not improved significantly, according to IATA director
Commercial aviation has long relied on various measurements to assess the performance of airlines. From on-time departure and arrival statistics to the rate of lost or delayed baggage, these metrics are crucial in determining customer satisfaction. However, there is one aspect of airline operations that often goes overlooked – the timely delivery of luggage to
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates that airlines worldwide will achieve a record revenue of $996 billion in 2024. This projection highlights the potential growth and profitability of the airline industry in the upcoming years. However, despite the positive outlook, there are challenges that airlines must navigate to maintain their success. Thin Margins and
The latest estimate from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) indicates that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production is set to triple this year, reaching close to 500 million gallons. While this is a significant increase, it still represents only 0.5% of the aviation industry’s total fuel needs. In order for the airline industry to achieve
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby expressed skepticism regarding Frontier Airlines’ new merchandising model. According to Kirby, Frontier’s decision to pivot away from leisure routes and take on major U.S. airlines on select non-leisure routes is a risky move that is bound to fail. Kirby criticized Frontier for attempting to upend its established business model, which
Advocacy groups representing individuals with disabilities have expressed their satisfaction with the recent FAA funding reauthorization bill, which aims to enhance safety and comfort for travelers with disabilities. Angel Hardy Heinz, the public policy manager for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, commented on the extensive efforts made by a coalition to incorporate various aircraft
When analyzing the landscape of airline credit card rewards programs, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks that come with these offerings. One of the key concerns raised by the DOT and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is the higher interest rates associated with rewards cards compared to non-rewards cards. This disparity in
Recently, American Airlines made headlines with the announcement that it would no longer be limiting how AAdvantage loyalty program members can earn miles or points based on booking channels. This decision marked a shift in the airline’s approach to customer rewards and signaled a more inclusive strategy moving forward. However, while the airline decided to
The DOT’s new rule regarding ticket refunds is set to go into effect on October 26. The implementation of this rule was delayed to allow airlines and agencies time to establish effective communication channels to process refunds accurately and efficiently. However, there are concerns regarding whether this communication system will be ready in time, potentially
In response to American Airlines’ recent announcements regarding its distribution strategy and the departure of chief commercial officer Vasu Raja, members of the business travel community have expressed mixed reactions. Mark Stansbury, a senior manager at Lockheed Martin, highlighted his company’s opposition to American’s strategy and the subsequent shift in market share away from AA.
American Airlines’ CEO, Robert Isom, admitted to making mistakes in the implementation of the New Distribution Capability (NDC) policies. By removing fares from legacy systems and pressuring agencies to adopt the new NDC systems, American Airlines inadvertently alienated travel agents. This move forced ASTA to step in and advocate for the return of fares to